Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

In our second notebook from Natural Products Expo West 2022 this week: LesserEvil acquires R.E.D.D. bar; Climate-friendly crackers carve out space in snacks; global flavors find new formats and formulations; and celebrating Steltenpohl, Roell, new awards debut around Expo.

In our first video dispatch from Natural Products Expo West 2022 in Anaheim, California, BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero and NOSH reporter Adrianne DeLuca discuss their observations and takeaways from the trade show’s opening day, including developments in snacks, an evolution in natural energy drinks, and how packaging innovations are reflecting an increased focus on sustainability and environmental impact.

In our first notebook from Natural Products Expo West 2022 this week: the first look offers better-for-you takes on indulgent treats; following Perfect Keto acquisition, Superfat expands assortment; Plant-based proteins looks to fill ready-to-eat gap; Attendees enjoy fading COVID regulation and more.

Holding company HumanCo is making some bold moves with its ice cream brand Coconut Bliss, adding grass-fed dairy pints to the formerly vegan brand and rebranding the company to Cosmic Bliss — the second major packaging change since the company was acquired in July 2020.

Children’s fresh food brand Once Upon a Farm (OUAF) announced today it has raised an additional $52 million in funding. In an exclusive interview with NOSH, CEO John Foraker said that the capital should carry the brand through to profitability, and allow it to aggressively pursue innovation and customer acquisition.

Exhibitors at this year’s show are bringing plenty of better-for-you foods to Anaheim ranging from new plant-based meat and dairy products to alternative grain innovations. Here are eight new foods, reformulations and total rebrands to look for at Expo West.

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from Creamalicious, Wellious, Wildland Coffee, Graza, and Kahenmei. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Brandon Partridge, a principal with 202 Consumer Ventures, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Combining our signature mix of innovative products, entrepreneurial strategy, and networking, the BevNET and NOSH teams are excited to invite you to join us at NOSH Live and BevNET Live in New York City.

While the CPG community is making its way back to Anaheim for the first in-person Natural Products Expo West since 2019, many brands are geared up and plenty of new product launches are already rolling in. Here’s an early preview of some of the new products debuting at the show you should check out.

Over the past two years visibility and support for mission-driven companies has been on the rise as consumer demand for purpose-forward products increases. To further support these interests, CPG companies and retailers both large and small have introduced a range of opportunities to help jumpstart emerging brands for long-term success.

Something is brewing and it isn’t just sauerkraut. A new company, Fermented Food Holdings, Inc. (FFH), has big plans for the fermented foods set, announcing Friday it had acquired two stalwarts of the category, Katalina Holdings (the makers of Bubbies) and Wildbrine, as it seeks to build out a larger platform of fermented products

In this distribution roundup: Clio Snacks rolls out to Kroger stores, adding three new SKUs; Mason Dixie brings breakfast sandwiches to Sprouts; CHKN Not Chicken expands retail reach; and more.

Though sugar may be consumers’ “Public Enemy Number One” in the move towards healthier eating, high calorie oils and fats are not far behind. However, a new industry group is hoping to change that perception and further educate consumers about the benefits of healthy fats – such as ghee, avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil and nut oil – in their own products.

Better-for-you sweets and format innovation were the dominant themes among this week’s new products. While Honey Mama’s branched out of chocolate bars, Outshine looked to the shelf-stable category for its newest snack product. Check out the roundup for the latest new offerings from brands including Fly by Jing, Tea Drops and Kashi.